Yummy Yummy Yummy

Lin Yan sat on the bed, still lost in the vivid and lengthy dream from last night. In the dream, he had passed the imperial examinations, received an official post, and then Teacher Cui's family met with misfortune... Lin Yan frowned at the memory.

He continued to recall the dream—later, he had sought an assignment outside the capital. When the emperor passed away, he was promoted and returned to the capital as the Deputy Governor of the Capital. There, he met a young lady whose smile was as radiant as springtime...

In the dream, court affairs were far from ideal, with internal strife and external threats. His career had its ups and downs—he served twice as chancellor, led troops to suppress rebellions in Nanzhao and Zhaoyi, and retired from the chancellorship at seventy, achieving a peaceful end to a distinguished life.

His family life, however, was far more pleasant. He and his wife spent decades in perfect harmony, with two sons and a daughter who were all filial and sensible.

Thinking of the woman who frequently appeared in the dream, Lin Yan shook his head. It was indeed just a dream—and an absurd one at that. His "wife" in the dream was the daughter of Shen Qian, the very same Vice Minister Shen who was presiding over this year's examinations!

Lin Yan felt deeply ashamed. To fantasize about the examiner's daughter while concocting such a tragic fate for her family—how despicable! He never knew he could be so base.

Yet, he couldn't help but linger on the dream's scenes.

"My lady, at the prime of your youth, why were you dismissed from the palace?"

"Due to illness and frailty," came her clever yet slightly defiant reply.

"We're not carriages meant for the same road. Each going our own way, we'd both fare well. Forcing ourselves together would only lead to collisions. I kept thinking recently that the farther we could go together, the better... That was my mistake. Better to forget each other in the vast world than cling together in hardship." She wept bitterly.

"Lin Yan, I miss you too," she whispered tenderly in his embrace.

...The entire dream was filled with her—the woman whose childhood name was A Qi.

In the dream's final scene, they were both elderly, supporting each other as they strolled through the garden.

"A Qi, the autumn wind grows chilly. Shall we move to Zhongnan Mountain for a while?"

She teased him, "You must be thinking of that osmanthus tree again. I've never seen anyone so particular—why is it only the flowers from that tree make delicious cakes? Has it absorbed the essence of the sun and moon to become a spirit?"

He laughed, "Not the tree becoming a spirit, but because when we're there, seeing those blossoms, you can't resist making them yourself. No one else can recreate your touch."

Lin Yan smiled sheepishly, hardly able to believe his future self—gray-bearded and aged—could still utter such romantic words.

"An Ran—are you awake?" His fellow examinee Zhao Che knocked at the door.

"I am."

Lin Yan threw on his robe, slipped into his shoes, and went to open the door.

"Today we're going to Yiyuan outside the city to admire the snow and plum blossoms. The roads are difficult, so we should leave early," Zhao Che said with a smile.

Lin Yan nodded.

It was already the twelfth month, and scholars from across the realm had gathered in the capital, awaiting the Ministry of Rites examinations after the New Year. At this time, candidates sought to present their writings to influential officials and renowned scholars, striving to make a name for themselves at poetry gatherings in hopes of catching the examiners' attention. Such was the way of the world—no room for aloofness. Lin Yan considered himself worldly enough, with no pretensions of purity.

The examinations demanded his utmost effort. With his family in decline and his parents gone, he alone could restore their standing.

"Yiyuan was once Prince Wu's estate. A truly refined lord, he declared, 'Such plum blossoms and snow should not be for my enjoyment alone—that would be a crime,' and opened the gardens to all..." Zhao Che continued discussing their plum-viewing plans.Hearing him mention Prince Wu, Lin Yan was reminded of the events from his dream. In that dream, by this time, Prince Wu had already turned to dust.

"...Yesterday, I heard that Prince Wu is at odds with that former Perfected Person. Given the latter's power and influence, if he hadn't perished in an alchemical furnace explosion, this prince might be in some trouble." Although Zhao Che was also from an outer prefecture and hadn't been in the capital for long, unlike the reserved Lin Yan, he had a wide circle of acquaintances and thus knew much about the affairs of the court's nobility.

Lin Yan frowned slightly, "I hadn't heard of this."

"I only heard it from others, not sure if it's true. They say Prince Wu once..."

After breakfast, discussing the old grievances between Prince Wu and the Great Virtue Pure and Subtle Supporting Origin Perfected Person, Lin Yan and a group of scholars took a carriage to the Yiyuan Villa outside the city. Since they had come under the pretense of admiring plum blossoms and snow, it was only natural to stroll and appreciate the scenery.

Unexpectedly, they encountered several young ladies coming their way, all dressed in luxurious robes and wrapped in fur cloaks, followed by numerous maids and servants—likely noblewomen from the capital.

The scholars, displaying good manners, stepped aside to let the ladies pass.

The ladies gave slight curtsies before continuing on their way.

"Ah Shen, be careful."

Hearing the surname "Shen," Lin Yan instinctively turned his head. A petite young lady stumbled slightly and was steadied by her companion and maids.

The young lady's faint voice could be heard, "It seems half of last night's dream came true."

"How can only half of a dream come true?"

"I dreamed of tripping and finding a nugget. Today, I almost tripped, but no gold in sight."

Another lady teased, "Such nonsense! Ah Chen, give her a couple of taps..."

The group of ladies gradually moved away.

Zhao Che glanced ahead and whispered, "Those ladies seem to have come from Prince Wu's Villa." While the garden was open to all, the Villa was not accessible to just anyone—those noblewomen must indeed be of high status.

Lin Yan nodded calmly, but inwardly he was shaken. That was unmistakably A Qi from his dream! Though she was still young, having been "married to her for decades" in the dream, her clever and lively demeanor was impossible to mistake.

Lin Yan saw Shen Shaoguang again during the Qujiang Flower-Picking Ceremony.

At last, Lin Yan caught sight of that charming face once more. She stood on a moored pleasure boat by the river, accompanied by a handsome young man—whom Lin Yan recognized as Shen Zhiwen, the eldest son of Vice Minister Shen. He had spoken with this young master when visiting the Shen residence to thank his examiner.

During his visit to the Shen residence, seeing the familiar plants and trees in the courtyard, Lin Yan couldn't help but feel emotional. More and more people and events mirrored those in his dream, confirming that the "dream" was no mere fantasy.

Shen Shaoguang watched the two Flower-Picking Scholars with a grin. My, they were truly handsome. Especially the one by the river—his usually stern face had just broken into a smile, like—Shen Shaoguang struggled for the right words—like a gentle breeze brushing over newly sprouted spring greenery.

Shen Shaoguang lamented, "Had I known they'd be this good-looking, I'd have gone ashore to toss a handkerchief or something."

Shen Zhiwen chided with a laugh, "Such lack of restraint for a young lady."

Shen Shaoguang pouted, "It's not just me. Last year, so many ladies threw handkerchiefs and sachets at you—why didn't you say they lacked restraint?"

Shen Zhiwen had been last year's Flower-Picking Scholar.

Never one to win arguments with his sister, Shen Zhiwen simply ruffled her hair, "You're not allowed."

Shen Shaoguang rolled her eyes. She'd never met anyone so dictatorial.Madam Shen and Madam Li Yue walked up to the upper deck of the pleasure boat, chatting about the Tanhua (the third-place scholar in the imperial examinations). "This year's Tanhua is truly handsome, with an elegant and noble demeanor. I heard the one near our side is from the Lin family of Hedong? When he went to pay respects to his examiner, did you see him, A Gu?"

"How could I have seen him? It was A Zhang who helped his father entertain the guests."

The Shen siblings came forward to greet Aunt Li.

Madam Li smiled and said, "A Zhang was last year's Tanhua, and now he's hosting this year's scholars. What a delightful coincidence."

Madam Shen glanced at her son and shook her head with a laugh. "A Zhang has been overshadowed by someone else after all."

Shen Shaoguang shamelessly nodded in agreement.

Madam Li laughed and said to Shen Zhiwen, "Don't listen to your mother. She just thinks the grass is always greener on the other side."

Shen Zhiwen was used to being teased by his mother and sister and merely smiled. That Lin An Ran was indeed scholarly. Their examination essays had already been transcribed and circulated, and he, along with his peers, had read them. Later, he had also heard his father's critique. Judging by his writing, he seemed like a responsible person, though he appeared somewhat cold and stern.

But it didn't take long for Shen Zhiwen to change his opinion of Lin Yan.

Lin Yan passed the Ministry of Personnel's selection and, like Shen Zhiwen, was appointed as a Collator in the Imperial Library. Though the rank of Collator was not high, it was a prestigious position reserved only for the most outstanding and talented scholars. Many high-ranking officials who had risen through the imperial examinations had once held this post.

The two of them commuted together daily. Close in age—Shen Zhiwen was only two years older than Lin Yan—and with the connection through Shen Qian (as the relationship between examiners and their students was very close at the time), they grew quite familiar.

After spending more time together, Shen Zhiwen realized that Lin Yan was simply a man of few words, with a warm heart beneath a cold exterior. He was indeed responsible, not the pretentious type.

As they left the imperial city, they led their horses and bid farewell. Shen Zhiwen smiled and asked, "Where are you headed, An Ran? I'm going to the East Market. My younger sister has been feeling unwell due to the seasonal weather, and my mother won't let her go out. I thought I'd pick up some trinkets for her."

Lin Yan smiled faintly. "I was also thinking of visiting the East Market. Shall we go together, Zi Bin?"

"That would be perfect," Shen Zhiwen replied with a grin.

The imperial city was close to the East Market, so they walked side by side, leading their horses, each followed by a servant.

Lin Yan hesitated for a moment before politely asking, "Many have been affected by the seasonal illness lately. Is your sister alright?"

"It's nothing serious, just a cough."

Lin Yan nodded with a faint smile.

Back at home, Shen Shaoguang was bored out of her mind and was delighted to see her brother return.

"You're wearing that thing again," Shen Zhiwen said with a chuckle, frowning at her mask.

Shen Shaoguang only laughed and took the foreign doll from her brother's hands. She examined it, slipped her hand inside the cloth puppet, and raised it in front of him, speaking in a gruff voice, "Young master, how is your swordsmanship? Shall we have a match?"

Shen Zhiwen laughed and pushed the doll away. "Wait a moment. I bought some autumn pears and asked someone to make you some Autumn Pear Rice Porridge. Drizzled with a bit of Osmanthus Gravy, it shouldn't taste too bad."

Shen Shaoguang grinned. "Brother, you've learned to make porridge now?" Her brother was good at everything—except cooking, just like their mother.

"It was actually a colleague who suggested this remedy for seasonal ailments."

"Could it be that young master surnamed Lin?""It was him. When he heard you were ill, he suggested this remedy, saying it aids the medicine in clearing the lungs and dissolving phlegm, with quite good effects—and most importantly, it tastes rather pleasant." Shen Zhiwen chuckled. A Qi was quite finicky; the moment she tasted anything bitter, she would scrunch up her brows. Lin Anran's remedy was indeed well-suited for her.

Shen Shaoguang hadn’t expected that such a stern and solemn gentleman would be someone who enjoyed concocting dietary remedies… A contrast that made him oddly endearing?

That evening, Shen Shaoguang ate the osmanthus pear porridge specially prepared by A Xiong, and it actually reminded her a little of the flavors from her past life—though, with pear porridge, the taste was probably similar everywhere.

When Lin Yan came to visit Master Shen again, Shen Shaoguang was in the outer study looking for books to read. Seeing the servants usher in an outside guest and hearing that A Lang would arrive shortly, she took it upon herself to entertain him on behalf of her father and brother.

The servants served tea along with fresh water chestnuts, lotus seeds, foxnut cakes, and other fruits and pastries.

Shen Shaoguang and Lin Yan sat opposite each other, sipping tea.

Lin Yan glanced at the travelogue and Autumn Frontier Collection on the small table, feeling as though this scene was strangely familiar.

"I haven’t yet thanked Brother Lin for the osmanthus pear porridge remedy. I found it quite delightful," Shen Shaoguang said with a smile. Since she hadn’t yet come of age, she didn’t consider herself a grown woman. Following the usual custom, she referred to her father’s friends as "Uncle" or "Elder," and her brother’s friends as "Brother," rather than using formal titles like "Lord" or "Sir."

Lin Yan pursed his lips slightly. "No need for formalities, Miss." Then he lifted his teacup and took a sip.

Shen Shaoguang studied Lin Yan. Why were this young man’s ears turning a little red?

Raising her eyes, she met the innocent gaze of the young girl, and Lin Yan felt a pang of guilt—how beastly of him to recall the things from his dream. In the dream, A Qi would occasionally whimper and plead, coquettishly calling him "Good Brother."

"Anran is here—" Shen Qian walked in.

Both Lin Yan and Shen Shaoguang stood to greet him.

Shen Qian sat on the couch and gestured for his disciple and daughter to sit as well.

Picking up a pastry, Shen Qian said with evident pride to Lin Yan, "Try the Fisherman-Woodcutter Cake my daughter made. It’s made with fresh chestnuts and foxnuts—very fragrant and sweet."

Lin Yan smiled. "The name is particularly well-chosen."

Shen Qian laughed heartily.

Shen Shaoguang gave her father a helpless look. Showing off again, always showing off…

Author’s Note: This chapter is an extra requested by some dear readers—a parallel world where A Qi’s parents and brother are alive, and her family is happy. In this chapter, A Qi is reborn with memories of her past life, while Lin Yan gains memories of the previous storyline through dreams.

With this, the story comes to an end. Thank you, dear readers, for staying with me until now. A deep bow to you all.